:Liberty, Missouri

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Liberty was settled in 1822, and shortly later became the county seat of Clay County.{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_RfAuAAAAYAAJ |title=How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named |publisher=The State Historical Society of Missouri |author=Eaton, David Wolfe |year=1916 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_RfAuAAAAYAAJ/page/n45 277]}} The city was named for the American concept of liberty.{{cite web|url=http://shsmo.org/manuscripts/ramsay/ramsay_clay.html |title=Clay County Place Names, 1928–1945 |publisher=The State Historical Society of Missouri |access-date=19 September 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 June 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160624070710/http://shsmo.org/manuscripts/ramsay/ramsay_clay.html}}

In 1830, David Rice Atchison established a law office in Liberty. He was joined three years later by colleague Alexander William Doniphan. The two argued cases defending the rights of Mormon settlers in Jackson County, served Northwest Missouri in Missouri's General Assembly, and labored for the addition of the Platte Purchase to Missouri's boundaries.

In October 1838, the two were ordered by Governor Lilburn Boggs to arrest Mormon founder Joseph Smith Jr. at the Far West settlement in Caldwell County.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PKvpsMbH5goC&pg=1|title=Five Stars: Missouri's Most Famous Generals|last=Muench|first=James F.|publisher=University of Missouri Press|year=2006|isbn=978-0-8262-1656-4|location=Columbia, Missouri|pages=7–17}} Immediately after the conclusion of the Mormon War, Smith and other Mormon leaders were incarcerated at the Liberty Jail for the winter as Doniphan labored for a quicker trial date. Although Doniphan led a force of Missouri volunteers ordered to capture the leaders, he defended Joseph Smith in trial and won him a change in venue. While en route to their new venue, Smith and his followers escaped and left Missouri for the new Mormon settlement in Nauvoo, Illinois.

The Arthur-Leonard Historic District, Clay County Savings Association Building, Clinton House, Dougherty-Prospect Heights Historic District, Garrison School Historic District, Frank Hughes Memorial Library, IOOF Liberty Lodge No. 49, Jewell Hall, Jewell-Lightburne Historic District, Major Hotel, Miller Building, Mt. Memorial Cemetery, Nebo Hill Archeological Site, Odd Fellows Home District, South Liberty Courthouse Square Historic District, and West Liberty Courthouse Square Historic District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.{{NRISref|version=2010a}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/nr/listings/20120504.htm|title=National Register of Historic Places Listings|date=2012-05-04|work=Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 4/23/12 through 4/27/12|publisher=National Park Service}}

Liberty is located approximately six miles north of the Missouri River along I-35 and Missouri Route 291.Missouri Atlas & Gazetteer, DeLorme, 1998, First edition, p. 27, {{ISBN|0-89933-224-2}}

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|29.15|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|29.03|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.12|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=2012-07-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112090031/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=January 12, 2012 }}

{{US Census population

|1850= 827

|1860= 1288

|1870= 1700

|1880= 1476

|1890= 2558

|1900= 2407

|1910= 2980

|1920= 3097

|1930= 3516

|1940= 3598

|1950= 4709

|1960= 8909

|1970= 13704

|1980= 16251

|1990= 20459

|2000= 26232

|2010= 29149

|2020= 30167

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}{{failed verification|reason=Linked page has no information about Liberty, Missouri|date=December 2021}} 2020{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/libertycitymissouri/BZA115219|title=QuickFacts: Liberty city, Missouri|website=census.gov|accessdate=2021-12-26}}

}}

The 2020 United States census{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov| access-date=2023-12-17 |website=data.census.gov}} counted 30,167 people, 10,816 households, and 7,602 families in Liberty. The population density was 1,039.2 per square mile (401.2/km{{sup|2}}). There were 11,505 housing units at an average density of 396.3 per square mile (153.0/km{{sup|2}}). The racial makeup was 84.17% (25,391) white, 4.57% (1,378) black or African-American, 0.46% (139) Native American, 1.0% (303) Asian, 0.15% (46) Pacific Islander, 1.58% (478) from other races, and 8.06% (2,432) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 6.1% (1,932) of the population.

Of the 10,816 households, 32.8% had children under the age of 18; 53.4% were married couples living together; 26.5% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 23.6% consisted of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.8 and the average family size was 3.3.

27.7% of the population was under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 99.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 92.7 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov|access-date=2023-12-17|website=data.census.gov}} estimates show that the median household income was $78,184 (with a margin of error of +/- $5,139) and the median family income was $90,839 (+/- $5,167). Males had a median income of $48,640 (+/- $3,513) versus $32,463 (+/- $1,897) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $40,538 (+/- $2,938). Approximately, 3.3% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.0% of those under the age of 18 and 4.8% of those ages 65 or over.

As of the census{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2012-07-08}} of 2010, there were 29,149 people, 10,582 households, and 7,555 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1004.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 11,284 housing units at an average density of {{convert|388.7|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 91.4% White, 3.6% African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.9% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.1% of the population.

There were 10,582 households, of which 38.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 28.6% were non-families. 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.11.

The median age in the city was 36.4 years. 26.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26% were from 25 to 44; 26.5% were from 45 to 64; and 11.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.

As of the census of 2000, there were 26,232 people, 9,511 households, and 6,943 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|973.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 9,973 housing units at an average density of {{convert|370.0|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 93.75% White, 2.59% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.99% from other races, and 1.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.68% of the population.

There were 9,511 households, out of which 38.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.2% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.0% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the city the population was spread out, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $52,745, and the median income for a family was $61,273. Males had a median income of $41,713 versus $28,516 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,415. About 3.8% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.1% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.

Major employers in Liberty include the Hallmark distribution warehouse. Liberty is also home to the operations headquarters for Ferrellgas, the 2nd largest retail provider of propane in the United States.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}} The B&B Theatres corporate office is located in Liberty, the 5th largest theater chain in the U.S.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}} While technically not in Liberty, the Ford Kansas City Assembly Plant is a major employer in nearby Claycomo.

According to the town's 2016 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,{{cite web|url=http://libertymissouri.gov/DocumentCenter/View/24233|title=City of Liberty 2015 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report|format=PDF |access-date=February 27, 2017}} the top employers in the city are:

The Liberty 53 School District operates ten elementary, four middle and two senior high schools.{{cite web | url=https://www.greatschools.org/missouri/liberty/liberty-53-school-district/schools/ | title=Liberty 53 School District | publisher=Great Schools | access-date=18 March 2018}}

Liberty has a public library, a branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library.{{cite web | url=https://www.mymcpl.org/locations | title=Locations | publisher=Mid-Continent Public Library | access-date=17 March 2018}}

Liberty is also home to William Jewell College, a private, four-year liberal arts college of more than 900 undergraduate students that was founded in 1849.{{cite web | url=https://www.jewell.edu/about | publisher=William Jewell College| title=About| date=2018-02-08}}

• David Allen, former American football running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars and St. Louis Rams
• Ken Boyer, former third baseman and manager of the St. Louis Cardinals
• Greg Canuteson, former mayor and state representative{{Cite news|last=Houx|first=Kellie |date=Aug 31, 2017|title=Former mayor receives Civic Leadership Award |work=Courier-Tribune |url=http://www.mycouriertribune.com/news/former-mayor-receives-civic-leadership-award/article_227c3a3a-ee6d-552c-8f50-e303db296075.html|access-date=2017-10-02|language=en}}
• James Dewees, keyboardist and back-up vocalist of The Get Up Kids, and started Reggie and the Full Effect
• Alexander William Doniphan, Mexican War general who prevented the execution of the Mormon prophet Joseph Smith
• Hubert Eaton, visionary and developer of the world-famous Forest Lawn cemeteries in California
• Shea Groom, soccer player{{Cite news|url=https://www.vavel.com/en-us/soccer/2017/09/06/nwsl/824686-shea-groom-named-player-of-the-week.html|title=Shea Groom named Player of the Week|last=Lara|first=Cindy|date=2017-09-06|work=VAVEL.com|access-date=2018-05-10|language=en-us}}
• Gatewood Lincoln, governor of American Samoa
• George Rice, football player
• Nick Robinson, former Stanford basketball player and college basketball coach
• Alex Saxon, actor (The Fosters, Finding Carter){{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4273749/|title=Alex Saxon

|publisher=IMDb|access-date=2014-08-09}}

• Eric Staves, actor Goat (2016 film), Empire (2015 TV series) and American Horror Story: 1984{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3621352/|title=Eric Staves|website=IMDb}}
• Craig Stevens, star of the 1950s television series Peter Gunn
• Matt Wertz, soft rock singer/songwriter

{{Unreferenced section|date=September 2018}}

The Liberty Jail is now an open museum and tourist site. The Clay County Historical Society Museum features period room displays, a historic pharmacy counter, toys and dolls, model trains, tools and more.

• {{flagdeco|LUX}} Diekirch, Luxembourg

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Liberty, Missouri}}

• [http://www.libertymissouri.gov City of Liberty]
• [http://thinklibertymo.com Liberty Area Economic Development]
• Historic maps of Liberty in the [http://dl.mospace.umsystem.edu/mu/islandora/object/mu%3A138865 Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection] at the University of Missouri

{{Clay County, Missouri}}

{{Missouri county seats}}

{{Kansas City MSA}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Cities in Missouri

Category:Cities in Clay County, Missouri

Category:Cities in Kansas City metropolitan area

Category:Significant places in Mormonism

Category:County seats in Missouri

Category:Populated places established in 1822

Category:1822 establishments in Missouri